When and where car accidents are more likely to occur

While many Illinois drivers may be under the assumption that most car accidents occur far from home, the majority of crashes actually occur within 25 miles of home. There are a number of factors for this, including the fact that many drivers go into auto-pilot mode when driving on familiar routes or through their own neighborhoods. However, there are certain things drivers can do to reduce their chances of becoming involved in a crash.

If possible, drivers should avoid driving during the late afternoon and evening hours. This is usually the time that commuters are hitting the road. Between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., 16 percent of fatal accidents occur. Those rates only get higher at night, as 31 percent of fatal accidents take place between 6 p.m. and midnight.

Where drivers live can also have an impact on the likelihood of becoming involved in a car accident. For example, in 2012, the state of Illinois had the third highest number of fatal car accidents in the Midwest. Living in a state that has a higher number of car accidents can actually cost drivers more, even if they do everything they can to drive safely.

No matter how safely a person drives, they can still become involved in a car accident if others driver recklessly or fail to follow the rules of the road. If an accident does occur and a person suffers serious injuries, they may suddenly find themselves in debt caused by expensive medical costs and other damages, such as loss of income. A personal injury attorney could help the injured person file a lawsuit against the liable driver. The attorney could also negotiate with the insurance company to seek an adequate amount of compensation that fully covers the damages and compensates the injured person for their pain and suffering.